Melissa Ready, mother of Jonathan Lewis, believes her son's killers may be getting away with murder after they agreed to a plea deal that moves their case to juvenile court.
Melissa Ready, the mother of slain Las Vegas teenager Jonathan Lewis, is outraged after learning that the four teens responsible for her son's death have reached a plea deal that moves their case to juvenile court.
"I was unaware there was going to be a court date today. I was also unaware they had made a plea deal... I was told by the district attorney a week or so ago that they were going to plead guilty to murder and get no less than two years in the adult system," Ready told FOX 5 Las Vegas.
Mother of Slain Las Vegas Teen Rips Plea Deal for Killers
Ready said she was not satisfied with the two years in the adult system, but it would have at least been on their records. "There is no justice so far for my son's murder," she said.
The four teens, Damien Hernandez, 17, Dontral Beaver, 16, Gianni Robinson, 17, and Treavion Randolph, 16, were originally charged with murder in the death of Lewis. However, they pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter under the plea deal.
Mother of Slain Las Vegas Teen Rips Plea Deal for Killers
Robert Draskovich, the lawyer representing Robinson, said to FOX 5 Las Vegas that the proposed plea deal moves their case into juvenile court, which would seal the criminal records of the four teens involved in the death of Lewis.
Draskovich also told FOX 5 Las Vegas that a plea hasn't officially been entered in juvenile court for the four teens. Sentencing will occur at a later date.
Mother of Slain Las Vegas Teen Rips Plea Deal for Killers
Jonathan Lewis was found in an alley on November 1, 2023, after being brutally beaten near Rancho High School in North Las Vegas. He died just days later in a nearby hospital.
Ready said she believes her son's killers are getting away with murder. "I don't agree with that plea deal at all. I think they should be charged as adults. They should be charged with the same things they were originally charged with," she said.
Ready said she is now working with the Clark County District Attorney's Office to see if she can get the plea deal overturned. "I'm not going to give up on my son. I'm going to keep fighting for him," she said.
The Clark County District Attorney's Office declined to comment on the plea deal or the case.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Ready pay for funeral expenses and legal fees. The page has raised over $17,000 as of Friday afternoon.
Lewis's death has shocked and saddened the Las Vegas community. A vigil was held for him on November 2, 2023, and several local organizations have offered their condolences to Ready and her family.
"We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Jonathan Lewis," said Clark County School District Superintendent Jesus Jara. "Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time."
"Violence in any form has no place in our schools or our communities," Jara added. "We must work together to create a safe environment for all students."
